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Toronto FC captain Torsten Frings announces retirement

The 36-year-old midfielder and former German international said Tuesday that recovery from hip surgery late last season “would take longer than expected” so he’s decided to call it quits after 18 seasons as a professional.

From the opening moments of his first match, Torsten Frings was in charge.

The 36-year-old German midfielder, who retired Tuesday due to on-going hip problems, debuted for Toronto FC on July 20, 2011. That night, and 45 other times for the Reds, Frings was the general, directing traffic, leading by example, tackling with vigour, offering a stern lecture when required.

Frings, a veteran of 14 seasons in the German Bundesliga and 79 matches for his country, including two World Cups, became captain after just two weeks. Now, on the eve of TFC opening its seventh Major League Soccer season in Vancouver on Saturday (TSN, 6:30 p.m.), he’s called it a career.

“It’s not possible for us to replace the experience and the leadership qualities that Torsten brought to our team,” TFC president and general manager Kevin Payne told reporters at Frings’ announcement at BMO Field.

“Those players don’t grow on trees,” he said. “We’re going to have to ask other players now to step up and assume a greater responsibility.”

A decision on who will wear the armband will be made by new head coach Ryan Nelsen, himself a former captain at the club and international level.

Payne, who said he hopes to announce some significant signings of younger international players over the next couple of weeks, sees Swiss goalkeeper Stefan Frei and Irish defender Darren O’Dea as leaders on the team.

“I don’t think there’s going to be any one player that will assume the role that Torsten has had with our team,” said Payne. He would not disclose details of settling the final year of Frings’ contract, which paid him $2.4 million (all figures U.S.) last season but added “we are going to honour our relationship with Torsten” and both sides are “satisfied” with the deal.

Frings, who will continue to serve TFC in what amounts to a consulting role in Europe, said despite the fact he came to training camp in late January in good shape it was obvious when he played that his hip wasn’t ready.

“After my surgery I tried to get fit. I ran a lot and I worked out a lot,” Frings told reporters. “But during the preseason camp in Orlando I felt my hip again and the pain. I can’t help the club if I’m not 100 per cent fit.”

Frings, who said he plans to get his coaching licence, said he decided “it’s not fair for the club” if he takes months more to get fit. Instead, by retiring, he frees up a designated player spot and room under the MLS salary cap.

“It’s very important for me to help the club,” Frings said.

With the retirement of Frings and the trade earlier this month of striker Eric Hassli, TFC now has two designated player spots available. Frings’ salary cap hit of $350,000 can also now be used to fill out the club’s thin roster.

Welsh international striker Robert Earnshaw was to arrive Tuesday night to begin a trial with TFC, Payne said. He also said he’s close to working out a deal with Queens Park Rangers for the loan of winger Hogan Ephraim and is evaluating attacking midfielder John Bostock of Tottenham Hotspur.

Other prospects include a young Argentine forward, who he wouldn’t name, as a Designated Player.

“All of these players would initially be on loan because we want to be able to have an opportunity to see them in our league before we make long-term commitments,” Payne said, adding two Hondurans are also in the mix.

Sportsnet soccer analyst Craig Forrest said in addition to more salary cap room and a DP spot, another “silver lining” in the disappointment of losing Frings is that it will open leadership roles for other, younger players.

“That helps players grow because now you can’t just look to one guy, you have to spread the leadership qualities and do your job properly,” he said.

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